Achieving safer healthcare for all: The world unites for PSD2018

Patient Solidarity Day 2018 has come and gone and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results. Our goal this year was to elevate the momentum in the conversation around Safe healthcare and we are excited to see patient safety continue to receive global prioritisation and look forward to progressing this conversation. We strongly believe that the strength of the campaign this year could not have been possible without the global support and strong multi-stakeholder collaboration calling for safe medication and healthcare for all.

141 organizations from more than 40 countries took part in Patient Solidarity Day in 2018. Participation in advancing the patient safety call included hosting events such as conducting awareness lectures on patient safety in colleges in Pakistan, District walk in Malawi, capacity building workshop for patient group leaders in the Philippines, movie screenings in Australia, school debates in Uganda, leafleting session in Macedonia, essay competitions in India and many more.

We are thrilled with the support we received from individuls and organizations from all over the world. You can see the full list of supporters here.

Patient Solidarity Day 2018 however did not mark the end of these efforts. Moving forward we continue to explore ways of advancing the safe medication and healthcare for all conversation as this is something we must achieve. We have to get there.

Here’s a look at the activities that took place to mark the campaign:

IAPO and Fight the Fakes campaign hosted a webinar to engage patient advocates from all over the world in the fight against falsified medicines. The webinar gave an opportunity to participants to find out more about the Campaign and also learn from personal stories of patients whose lives have been impacted by falsified medicines.

Fight the Fakes campaign organized a fight the fakes week. In support to IAPO’s Patient Solidarity Day, “Safe Medication and Healthcare for All”, partners of the Fight the Fakes encouraged patients to speak up about fake medicines. Between 3-9 of December, partners of the Fight the Fakes Campaign came together to participate in the campaign’s first ever Fight the Fakes week. As part of this initiative, a series of activities were held at the UCL School of Pharmacy to raise awareness amongst the student community about this issue; In Geneva, partners met for a strategic discussion on what are the next steps for the campaign and options for further collaboration. Learn more about the campaign on our website!

Community Health and Information Network – CHAIN along with Uganda Alliance of Patients Organisations – UAPO organised a community session with patient organisations, civil society organizations and community members to raise awareness on medication safety. They also engaged students in the discussion through an essay competition.

Health Consumer’s Council hosted the screening of The Bleeding Edge Documentary which investigates the medical device industry and shines a light on the perils of the relentless pace of innovation.

Dakshayani and Amaravati Health and Education and The Indian Alliance of Patients Groups (IAPG) held a panel discussion with patient representatives, government and health providers. The discussion outcomes are now being turned into a report to be submitted to the government with the aim of advocating for universal health coverage and safe medicines in India.

Patient and Community Welfare Foundation of Malawi – PAWEM organised a district walk to Chikwawa prison where through drama and dance they raised awareness on safe medication and healthcare for all to the often forgotten prison population.

The Epilepsy Support Association Uganda - ESAU along with The AIDS Support Organisation - TASO carried out an empowering capacity building session with 8 secondary schools’ Epilepsy Clubs (E-Clubs) in Masaka

Sharecare Ghana conducted a survey with the aim of developing an advocacy agenda for fighting falsified medicines as part of the organization’s general advocacy work. The online survey was shared with the general public in November, in the build up to PSD 2018. Findings were shared via an article on Sharecare Ghana’s website here.

Sickle cell and young stroke survivors International (SCYSS Int’l) held a seminar for sickle cell patients in Imo state Nigeria. The seminar was designed to educate sickle cell patients on the need for safe medication and avoidance of situations of drug misuse which can lead to addiction. This seminar was organized as a result of the growing problem of addiction for which sickle cell patients are prone to. This is because they have to take drugs to help them during crises periods and most times they end up getting addicted to pain killers. The seminar was for young adults living with sickle cell.

The Canadian Patient Safety Week (CPSW), a campaign co-designed by the Canadian Patient Safety Institute and Patients for Patient Safety Canada, called for all Canadian stakeholders to become involved in making patient safety a priority.

SIMMON Foundation held a talk with 150 patients and caregivers about universal healthcare, safe medicines and how patients can be better informed about medications given to them. Throughout the event, recorded patients' and caregivers' thoughts, experiences and solutions on safe medication and universal healthcare. These videos were then shared on their Facebook and Twitter accounts to raise awareness on safe medication.

The Association of Community Pharmacists of India had kiosks near public places such as retail pharmacies, hospitals, railway stations and bus stands where registered pharmacists and pharmacy students provided free drug safety instruction to the general public.

The Patient Safety Foundation organised a visit of nursing students to two hospitals in Lodz (Institute Centre for Mother and Child and Copernicus Regional Hospital) to raise awareness among doctors, nurses and patients about fake medicines and products. On 8 December, they also held a meeting on medical reconciliation and on what can be done to reduce medicines intake by patients.